The Tasting Room at Randolph Wine Cellars

07/15/2008 Posted by texasroadwarrior

Went there with several friends recently and sat upstairs. Our server brought the wrong bottle of wine the first time and when I pointed it out to him he tells me it's on the house. Comes back later and say he has to confiscate it, per management instructions, then I'm told the original bottle is not available (they do have a wine store next door, right?). Long story short; many of the bottle selections were out, two bottles were corked, food orders were forgotten and overall service was slow. I wrote an email to the manager but she never responded. Going to Websters next time . . .

09/12/2007 Posted by rebeccas05

The Tasting Room offers free parking to all guests (not a lot of that in Chicago). The variety of appitizers as well as wine are excellent. The staff is very knowledgeable at pairing the food to the wine choices. If you are a novice wine drinker, explain what you are eating, what you like and don't like and the servers will come up with a great choice for you. Sitting in a relaxed atmosphere (on couches and chairs with coffee tables) and looking out the windows at great views makes the enviroment just as good as the food. Take a chance and visit, you will not regret it. I can not wait to go back.

Pros: Ambience, Free Parking, Variety of food/wine.

Cons: Wish there was a second location in the suburbs.

05/23/2007 Posted by aylwin

The Tasting Room has it all, great location, great views of the city, free parking, excellent selection of wines and yet they contrive to ruin it by their attitude. I'm sorry, but customers are just way too tiresome for these wine experts. All dressed in black, they have attitudes to match. Ask to see the wine menu and you get the food menu tossed at you. Don't bother trying to engage the fellow at the bar in any kind of conversation about the business of his profession. And there is just something terribly annoying about the way he makes the pour with vastly exaggerated precision. Value for money is no compensation either because it is quite expensive when you get to add all the tastes and stuff, without ever experiencing a drop over. It's really a great shame.

Pros: Great view of city and free parking

Cons: Cold and disinterested staff, poor value

11/20/2005 Posted by schmu

Excellent atmosphere & comfy seating! The wines were good, but I was expecting a larger selection. Service was prompt, but our server didn't seem to know that much about the wines & couldn't recommend anything specific when asked. Overall, a great place to have some good wine & chat with friends.

Pros: parking

02/25/2004 Posted by jenno

fantastic and friendly service. LOVE the couches and overall atmosphere. surprisingly great view too. food is a bit pricey but very good and well presented.

01/14/2004 Posted by bosied

maybe its because i've only been here in the early evenings, when it wasn't that crowded, but i've found the tasting room to have a great atmosphere, a very helpful staff and overall to be a good experience. you can't beat the views of Downtown and the setting, of a loft type building with comfy seating, really makes for a great romantic spot or just a great spot to hit for a little wine and cheese before you head over to the United Center.

Pros: the view, good parking, ambiance

Cons: , a little pricey

01/14/2004 Posted by esbaguisa

I am a regular at the tasting room, and i have never had a bad time there. Although it is upscale and sophisticated, not that there is anything wrong with that, you feel welcome each time. It's a very relaxing place, a must for people who deal with the stress of city living on a daily basis, like myself. And they always make my drink just the way all of my friends and i like it. Black cherry effen vodka cosmo and french martini with a twist ( claire's own version, the twisted claire..ha-ha..), right claire? more power to you guys!!!

Pros: cozy, nghbrhd feel, classy but never..., intimidating

Cons: limited hor's douvres, in the menu

08/04/2003 Posted by mitchje

The food and wine are absolutely amazing, and the decor and ambience are right on. However, the prices are just unrealistically high. A wine flight consisting of four 1/4 pours of widely available wines should NOT cost over $20. The strange part is that the Randolph Wine Cellars' retail store is widely known for have amazing bargains. So maybe the restaurant funds the retail?!?

Pros: Fantastic wine, Beautiful room, Great food

Cons: Way overpriced

04/26/2003 Posted by pmac21

This place is simply terrible. From the bad service to the unfriendly waiters. The food was just plain BAD...We took our $1000 and went to another friendlier lounge and ordered some Cristal.

Pros: Nothing

Cons: Everything

08/15/2002 Posted by gfollen

The atmosphere here is very laid back and extremely un-snobbish. These people really know their wine in addition to having a full bar. If you want to learn more about wine but are intimidated by those overly snobbish obnoxious people who think the only decent wine costs $50 a bottle, then this is your place. Great view of the skyline, comfy couches and chairs, very helpful staff. It's like a mix between a neighborhood bar (it's that comfortable) and a trendy wine bar (excellent selection of Wine.

Pros: Good Parking, knowledgeable staff, Comfy mood

Cons: Limited Menu